Vehicle barrier with release mechanism
View Patent ↗A barrier for arresting a vehicle. The barrier includes a net spanning an area through which the vehicle may pass, an anchor coupled to the net, a support arm arranged on one side of the area through which the vehicle may pass, a raising/lowering mechanism for raising and lowering the support arm, and a release mechanism arranged on the support arm, the release mechanism having an upper and a lower protrusion forming an interior space to accommodate a member coupled to the net, and the member and the release mechanism become uncoupled upon application to the net of at least a predetermined threshold force.
1. A barrier for arresting a vehicle, comprising:
a net spanning an area through which the vehicle may pass;
an anchor coupled to the net;
a support arm arranged on one side of the area through which the vehicle may pass;
a raising/lowering mechanism for raising and lowering the support arm; and
a release mechanism arranged on the support arm, the release mechanism having an upper and a lower protrusion forming an interior space to accommodate a member coupled to the net,
wherein the member and the release mechanism are configured to uncouple upon application to the net of at least a predetermined threshold force.
2. The barrier according to claim 1 , wherein the release mechanism further comprises at least one securing pin in contact with the member.
3. The barrier according to claim 1 , wherein the release mechanism further comprises at least one of an upper and a lower securing pin in contact with the member.
4. The barrier according to claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower protrusions each include a lip to secure the member.
5. The barrier according to claim 1 , wherein the support arm is lowered in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle.
6. The barrier according to claim 1 , wherein the release mechanism faces the area through which the vehicle may pass.
7. The barrier according to claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower protrusions form an aperture through which an extension couples the member to the net.
8. The barrier according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined threshold force is the force provided by impact by the vehicle with the net.
9. The barrier according to claim 1 , where the release mechanism is substantially ‘C’-shaped.
10. The barrier according to claim 1 , where the member is a cylinder.
11. The barrier according to claim 1 , further comprising an energy absorber between the net and the anchor, wherein the energy absorber is configured to decelerate the vehicle when the vehicle engages the net.